Madam He handled matters with practiced smoothness.
That evening, Madam He claimed that her young lady had personally pleaded with the Old Madam, and thus Yong Mei was released.
The fact that Madam Xu had gone to Zhaoyuan that day was common knowledge throughout the mansion, so Yong Mei harbored no suspicions.
In the guest quarters, Xie Jingzhou was fretting about how to arrange his affairs before entering the palace the next day. News of Yong Mei's regained freedom brought him secret delight. He immediately ordered Luo Hong to fetch Yong Mei.
Moments later, Yong Mei stood before the Fifth Prince.
Under the candlelight, the Fifth Prince's features appeared even more profound and sculpted, his very gaze making Yong Mei’s heart flutter like a frightened doe.
Xie Jingzhou seemed oblivious to Yong Mei’s infatuation. Instead, he took her hand proactively. “After the Empress Dowager’s funeral, I shall return to my own residence. I truly wish to take you with me, but Zi Zhao has been unyielding about returning together.”
There were no unattractive individuals in the imperial family; any prince, when presented, was a paragon among men.
However, with so many paragons, the Fifth Prince’s looks became less remarkable. Coupled with his indecisive and weak character, he was disdained by the noble ladies of the capital.
Consequently, for years, the Fifth Prince had no women by his side except Luo Hong, who attended to him.
Some time ago, Yong Mei had discreetly inquired and learned that the Fifth Prince did not even have a concubine in his household.
Yong Mei, who already harbored feelings for the Fifth Prince, was utterly captivated by his apparent deep affection. Knowing she was the Fifth Prince’s first woman, even her young lady would rank behind her, and her heart swelled with emotion. “I will certainly persuade my young lady diligently. Your Highness need not worry,” she assured him.
Xie Jingzhou raised a hand to caress Yong Mei’s flushed cheek, his eyes filled with growing reluctance. “Zi Zhao’s disposition is simply too stubborn. If only you possessed even half of her understanding, I fear Zi Zhao will displease Mother Consort. If Mother Consort grows displeased and whispers into Father Emperor’s ear, then…”
Xie Jingzhou left the rest unsaid, but Yong Mei understood.
Though she had never entered the palace, she had heard of Consort Xi. Not only had she enjoyed the Emperor’s favor for years, but she was also the only woman in the harem who could rival Empress Zhong.
The mere thought of Consort Xi, a divine presence, sent shivers of dread down Yong Mei’s spine.
“Your Highness, you must think of a way! My life belongs to you, living or dead. If I cannot serve by your side, what reason would I have to live!” Yong Mei implored, clutching Xie Jingzhou’s hand.
Xie Jingzhou, as if startled, trembled and pulled away from Yong Mei’s grasp.
Luo Hong, who had been observing all along and could bear it no longer, stepped forward. She seized Yong Mei’s hand as it reached for the Fifth Prince again, suppressing her jealousy and disgust. Dragging Yong Mei, she pulled her out of the room.
Yong Mei’s eyes welled with tears, recalling the Fifth Prince’s words.
Luo Hong looked at Yong Mei’s overestimation of her own capabilities, knowing she should offer comfort, but the words caught in her throat.
“Cough, cough, cough…”
From within the room behind them came the Fifth Prince’s faint cough.
Luo Hong shuddered and quickly spoke, “I know you wish to remain by His Highness’s side. You are also the first to enter His Highness’s favor. It is simply unfortunate that Miss Ji’s temperament is too unyielding. As her maid, until she enters the Fifth Prince’s mansion, no matter how much His Highness desires you, it will be futile.”
Yong Mei understood this perfectly.
It was precisely for this reason that she had begun to harbor hatred for the name Ji Zi Zhao.
She possessed a formal status with the Fifth Prince yet was so unwilling to cherish it. She not only wasted the Fifth Prince’s sincere affections but now was dragging Yong Mei down with her.
But she was merely a servant. Even if she truly hated Ji Zi Zhao, what could she do?
A small object suddenly appeared before Yong Mei.
Yong Mei slowly looked up, following the object, and met Luo Hong’s sympathetic eyes.
“As fellow servants, naturally, I am the only one who can truly understand your feelings and plight. I can think of a way to make Miss Ji obediently enter the Fifth Prince’s mansion. However, whether this can be accomplished depends on what you intend.”
Yong Mei’s heart gave a heavy leap at Luo Hong’s words.
What other method could there be to make a woman willingly go with a man?
Yong Mei understood Luo Hong’s meaning.
However, once she took this step, there would be no turning back for her and her young lady.
Luo Hong saw the hesitation in Yong Mei’s eyes. “Do you truly wish to leave His Highness, and even… never see His Highness again in your life?”
Yong Mei’s heart ached inexplicably, and the hesitation in her eyes vanished.
She snatched the object Luo Hong held before her. “Miss Luo Hong, whatever you wish, just command me.”
Hearing this, Luo Hong let out a cold laugh.
Indeed, everyone was selfish.
Half an hour later, Yong Mei quietly left the guest quarters.
Xin Lan, who had been waiting anxiously at Zhaoyuan, saw Yong Mei return and quickly took her hand, whispering, “Where did you go? Why are you back so late? My young lady has been sleeping restlessly. Go and attend to her quickly.”
Yong Mei nodded and tiptoed into the room.
Ji Zi Zhao, tossing and turning on the bed, heard the sound and asked defensively, “Who is it?”
Yong Mei quickly replied, “Young lady, it is I, your servant.”
Ji Zi Zhao was silent for a moment before murmuring, “It’s Yong Mei. You’ve returned.”
Yong Mei nodded. “Yes, I have returned. From now on, I will serve you diligently, my young lady.”
Ji Zi Zhao on the bed did not reply, but she did not refuse either.
Yong Mei knew her young lady no longer trusted her as she had before. To regain Ji Zi Zhao’s trust, Yong Mei barely slept that night, frequently getting up to cover Ji Zi Zhao with her quilt. In the morning, she served Ji Zi Zhao in her ablutions and dressing, despite her exhaustion.
Such days of anxious worry lasted for a full day.
It was not until the next morning, when Ji Zi Zhao saw the weary Yong Mei, that she said, “You do not need to attend to me today. Rest well.”
Yong Mei knelt on the ground with joy. “It is my honor to serve you, my young lady. I am not tired.”
Ji Zi Zhao nodded, accepting Yong Mei’s words.
Yong Mei watched Ji Zi Zhao’s face gradually lose its coldness, and her hanging heart finally settled in her chest.
As long as her young lady could return to trusting her as she had in the past, that would be enough.
In the seventeenth year of Xiaochang, on the first day of November, the Empress Dowager’s funeral procession began, and the first snow fell.
The city was hushed, and an air of death pervaded.
Before the hour of Chen, Madam He helped Ji Zi Zhao rise from her bed.
Xin Lan and Yong Mei had already been waiting. Seeing their young lady rise, they hurried forward to help her wash and change her clothes.